Diaphragm type pessary



Dec. 25, 195.] SHEEN DIAPHRAGM TYPE PESSARY Filed Aug. '7, 1950 mm e g 7 a d M rramvey Patented Dec. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES DIAPHRAGM TYPE PES SARY Herbert A. Sheen, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 7, 1950, Serial No. 178,000

This invention is directed generally to improvements in surgical devices of the support type and relates more particularly to an improved pessary and diaphragm.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm type pessary which is so constructed as to provide a relatively stiff support without the employment of materials of a nature or form to cause discomfort or injury to the tissues with which it may be in contact.

Another object is to provide a device of the character stated which is readily temporarily deformed to facilitate its easy insertion and placement and which, at the same time, is sufliciently resilient to return to and maintain its form.

A still further object is to provide an improved pessary of the character stated having as an element thereof a resilient absorbent body which is designed to form a soft positive seal with the wall of the vaginal cavity at the mouth of the womb to thereby prevent the passage of secretions or other fluids in either direction, and also to provide a means of retaining, by absorption,

medicinal agents for antisepsis and for treating disease conditions.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be understood as limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a portion of the female anatomy showing a pessary constructed in accordance with the present invention, in one applied position.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the posterior side of the pessary.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the diagram in Figure 1, shows in outline the vaginal cavity V in the upper end of which the pessary is located for use, while the reference C designates the cervix which the pessary covers when in position.

In accordance with the preferred form of the present invention, the pessary, designated generally P, comprises a relatively thick body of sponge or foam rubber IQ of substantially 4 Claims. (Cl. 128127) concavo-convex form and generally elliptical outline.

The anterior side, or face, of the body It] has the concave cavity l l therein, while the posterior side, or face, is substantially convex as indicated at l2.

Fitted against the convex face of the body If! is an elliptical frame I3 of tubular rubber which in its maximum size would have a major diameter of about mm. which is the approximate size of a large diaphragm.

The sponge rubber body 10 is about 10 or 15 mm. larger than, or extends such distance beyond, the frame, thereby providing a rim part I4, which would be pressed firmly against the wall of the cavity V, thereby increasing the occlusive properties of the device Without causing discomfort.

The framework includes and is reinforced by the crossed ribs l5, and the side thereof against the body I!) is covered by a smooth elastic sheet i6, which is bonded to the surface of the sponge rubber body to function as a skin which prevents fluids from passing through the body. Otherwise the body It! has no skin covering so that it is capable of readily absorbing and retaining fluid substances.

Secured to the pessary, preferably between the frame It and the body I0, is a tab IT, by means of which the device can be easily removed.

In the use of the pessary as a support and for preventing passage of substances into the mouth of the uterus, the pessary would be installed as illustrated in Figure 1, that is, with the dome, or posterior side, thereof toward or against the cervix C. The framework it would be sufficiently expansib-le to insure the desired occlusion of the mouth of the uterus and the overlapping rim l4 would further occlude any irregularities around the edge.

For use of the device in treating infections at the mouth of the uterus, medicaments could be convex face, the framework being smaller circumferentially than said body, and a non-pervious skin overlying and secured to the area of said face which is covered by the framework, the framework being joined to the skin.

2. A pessary-diaphragm as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framework is of relatively stiff tubular rubber.

3. A pessary-diaphragm as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body has a concavity in its anterior face.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the body is of substantially concavo-convex form and of elliptical outline.

HERBERT A. SHEEN.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,083,721 Asch Jan. 6, 1914 2,423,356 Waterburg July 1, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,103 Great Britain Mar. 2, 1909 800,044 France Apr. 20, 1936 

